Today’s post is inspired by a cartoon from flight instructor Mark Rowe.
![©Mark Rowe - Click to enlarge!](https://learntoflyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/RightofWayCartoon-300x210.jpg)
However unlikely you would encounter this scenario in real life, these overtly specific rules are in place to guarantee safety for all aviators. Let’s take a look at the specifics, which are detailed in our 2015 Private Pilot Test Prep:
An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic. When aircraft of the same category are converging at approximately the same altitude (except head-on, or nearly so), the aircraft on the other’s right has the right-of-way.
![Aircraft on converging courses: aircraft of the right has right-of-way, aircraft of the left must yield.](https://learntoflyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TP-P-04-02-300x272.png)
If the aircraft are of different categories, the following applies:
1. A balloon has the right-of-way over any other category of aircraft;
2. A glider has the right-of-way over an airship, airplane, rotorcraft, weight-shift control, or powered parachute; and
3. An airship has the right-of-way over an airplane, rotorcraft, weight-shift control, or powered parachute.
An aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft has the right-of-way over all other engine driven aircraft.
When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft (regardless of category), shall alter course to the right.
![Aircraft approaching head-on.](https://learntoflyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TP-P-04-03-300x140.png)
An aircraft being overtaken has the right-of-way. The overtaking aircraft shall alter course to the right to pass well clear.
![One aircraft overtaking another.](https://learntoflyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TP-P-04-04-300x155.png)
When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of, or overtake another aircraft.
Having known from childhood that he would be a pilot one day, Mark Rowe is a 2014 graduate of LeTourneau University’s Aeronautical Science program. He holds his CMEL, CSEL, CFI, and A&P certificates, and currently works as a flight instructor with Maine Instrument Flight. When he’s not telling students to use more right rudder, he enjoys drawing airplanes and other things.